Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive family and community-based program that addresses the multiple factors known to be related to anti-social behaviour and youth offending across the key settings, or systems, within which a young person lives. It uses the strengths of each system (e.g., family, peers, school, neighbourhood, indigenous support network) to facili
tate positive behavioural change. Intervention may be necessary in any one or a combination of these systems. The ultimate goals of MST are to provide parents with the skills and resources that they need to address independently the difficulties that arise when rearing teenagers and to give young people skills to cope with family, peer, school, and neighbourhood problems. Thus, MST interventions typically aim to:
improve caregiver parenting practices
enhance family relations
reduce at risk, anti-social and offending behaviour
decrease the young person’s association with deviant peers
increase the young person’s association with pro-social peers
improve the young person’s school or vocational performance
engage the young person in positive recreational outlets
develop a natural support network of extended family, neighbours, and friends to help caregivers achieve and maintain such changes. In the words of a children’s court Judge: “By treating the family as a whole, the court is not sending ‘rehabilitated’ youths back into the same dysfunctional environment. The goals are healthier families and reduced recidivism. MST aims to stop the cycle of dysfunction and criminality-generationally.
